On Europe’s Fringes: Russia, Turkey and the European Union

Philip Hanson*  Chatham House  

Summary points

• Russia and Turkey, significant powers on the fringes of the European Union, both have awkward relations with Brussels.

• As Russia’s and Turkey’s strength becomes greater and the EU’s declines, the relationships between them will increasingly involve political as well as economic factors. 

• Turkey is economically and politically closer to Europe than Russia is, while Russia’s relationship with Europe mainly consists of a mutual  energy dependency.

• Russia’s unpredictable business environment remains a key constraint on its deeper integration with the EU. The Turkish economy faces  challenges, but Turkey has a much better business environment than  Russia. 

• The EU’s own economic deficiencies suggest that it needs to remain circumspect in dealing with both countries. But Turkey, in particular,  should be considered more of a foreign policy partner.

*Russia and Eurasia Programme/Europe Programme

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http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/0711bp_hanson.pdf